Welcome to Sociology 2
What is Sociology? 2
What are the main sociological theories that I will learn about? 3
What skills will I acquire? 3
What makes a successful sociology student? 5
What components will I study in A Level Sociology? 4
How will I be assessed? 5
Resources 5
Students COULD complete this work to excel at Sociology 11
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Welcome to Sociology A Level study at the Norwood School. We hope that you will find it enjoyable and intellectually-challenging. You are not expected to start the course with any prior knowledge: just the commitment to acquiring it, including through independent study.
Sociology is the study of society on a number of different levels. It’s:
• A subject which helps explain social change, past, present and future;
• A subject which encourages political and social engagement with contemporary social
issues;
• A subject which involves being actively involved with social research and policy.
All of us are part of society. Importantly, society and its institutions have helped to shape
who we are and our experiences in life so far. Sociology is concerned with human
associations and relationships in the institutions that affect our lives. Such institutions
include the family, education, the media, the police/judiciary, religion, and politics.
Agree or disagree?
WELCOME TO SOCIOLOGY
WHAT IS SOCIOLOGY?
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There is, perhaps, more than ever a need to understand the world we live in and this is where sociology can be helpful. Just think about the endless public debates on issues such as gender identity, boys’ underachievement in school, the UK’s national and international identity in Brexit’s aftermath, fake news & media literacy, the effects of single parenthood and births outside marriage, the impacts of digital media on our lives, policing, gang violence and the impact of Coronavirus on society. We will study what sociologists have found out and how their conclusions are argued and disagreed with by other people who may have other ideas and see things quite differently. A Level Sociology will help you to gain a deeper understanding of the world around you and reflect on social issues that are often relevant to your own social experiences. Uniquely, Sociology is a living subject so you will be able to relate much of what you are studying to the ‘real world’.
In particular, Sociology is often characterised with describing and explaining patterns of
inequality, deprivation and conflict, which are a feature of almost all societies (some more
than others).
You will need to know about and understand the following
sociological viewpoints:
You will also learn key sociological studies and concepts.
By studying Sociology you should acquire knowledge and a critical understanding of
contemporary social processes and social changes. You will also have the opportunity to
develop a broad set of desirable key skills, including the ability to analyse and formulate clear,
WHAT ARE THE
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logical arguments with scope for extensive evaluation from a range of sociological
perspectives. Developing strong critical thinking skills and being able to consider issues with
a global outlook will be of huge benefit to you moving forward, whether this is in further
education, the workplace or society in general.
AN INTEREST IN SOCIAL ISSUES. A general awareness of what is happening socially and
politically can help to motivate you throughout the course.
ORGANISATION. Complete all the work and homework you’ve been set. Work to
deadlines set by your teacher. If you have missed a class, find out what work you have
missed. If you do not do this, you may well find questions appearing in your exams, which
you’re not familiar with!
A WILLINGNESS TO WORK INDEPENDENTLY. Your teacher is always on hand to guide you
when you are stuck.
AN ABILITY TO WRITE COHERENTLY AND ACCURATELY. The basic rules of grammar and sentence construction, reasonable spelling, and well- organised work are required. This is especially important in a subject that relies upon coherent and logical argument. A
WILLINGNESS TO DEBATE AND ENGAGE IN GROUP WORK. Good quality discussion helps to improve your evaluation skills as well as developing confidence in your own ability to express yourself. ATTENDANCE You are required to attend all classes. If you know you are to be absent, you must arrange this beforehand and find out what work you will be missing.
Component 1 (Paper 1)
Component 2 (Paper 2)
Component 3 (Paper 3)
Crime and deviance
WHAT COMPONENTS WILL I STUDY IN A LEVEL SOCIOLOGY?
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You will sit three exams at the end of this two year course which are:
Paper 1: Socialisation, culture & identity
Paper 2: Researching & understanding social inequalities
Paper 3: Debates in Contemporary Society
NEWSPAPERS
o The following are all quality newspapers which are free to access: https://www.theguardian.com/uk
https://www.independent.co.uk/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/
https://www.thetimes.co.uk/
Sociology Review Magazine – a quarterly magazine aimed at A Level Sociology
TV & RADIO
o TV and Radio, which can be accessed, respectively, via https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer and http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio and https://www.itv.com/hub/shows (Be aware that these programmes are not all available throughout the year and that schedules may change).
o There are also a number of productions which are sociologically relevant on Netflix. SOCIOLOGY BOOKS 1984 – George Orwell Why I’m no longer Talking to White People About Race – Renni Eddo-Lodge Chavs – Owen Jones Policing the Crisis: Mugging, the State & Law and Order - Women Who Fight Back – Stacey Dooley Queenie – Candice Carty-Willams Girl Up – Laura Bates Infomocracy – Malka Ann Oder Eve of Man – Tom and Giovanna Fletcher
HOW WILL I BE ACCESSED?
The Sociology Podcast – lots of interviews with different sociological researchers and
discussions about contemporary debates.
TED Talks – any talks about family, relationships, domestic violence, crime, sexuality,
identity, disability, globalisation, technology, inequality, class, ethnicity, race, feminism.
BBC Sounds app – lots of interviews and talks on sociological subjects.
CURIOSITY ABOUT SOCIOLOGY
Complete the Sociology Curiosity Sheet and continue to develop your sociological
knowledge.
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Students MUST complete this work to study Sociology at Norwood
(we are on hand to help with any questions you may have)
i. Introduction to Sociology
Task 1:
1a. In 50-100 words, summarise what you believe Sociology to be.
2a. Now watch the following video and add to your notes, summarising what you believe
Sociology to be. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK5J0-cM-HE
Task 2: Morning Routine
2a. Write a list of everything that you do in the order that you do it in, in the first hour after
waking up in the morning.
2b. Now consider how your daily routine compares to those of your family and peers. List
what you do the same and what you do differently. What does this tell us about ourselves as
individuals? Are we born with this routine or socialised into it?
2c. Find the definitions for the following concepts:
Agents of socialisation
Students SHOULD complete this work to study Sociology at Norwood
(we are on hand to help with any questions you may have)
ii. Social Groups
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A core theme of A Level Sociology is different social groups. You may have come across social
differences in a range of Key Stage 3 and 4 subjects even if you have not studied GCSE
Sociology. You should be familiar with the concept of culture and identity.
This section is aimed at familiarising yourselves with differences related to social groups,
including class, age, gender and ethnicity.
Task 3: Research definitions and complete the following glossary of key terms:
Challenge: Where appropriate, try to provide an example which illustrates the concept.
Age
Sex discrimination
Social Class
Task 4: Complete the following research tasks and answer the questions:
Class
a. Why rich kids are so good at the marshmallow test
Read the article and answer the question.
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https://www.theatlantic.com/family/archive/2018/06/marshmallow-test/561779/
Questions: Define immediate gratification and delayed gratification. What does the
most recent research tell us about delayed gratification? How does this link to family
structure?
Read the article and answer the question.
https://www.economist.com/graphic-detail/2018/06/07/the-stark-relationship-
between-income-inequality-and-crime
Questions: According this article, how does wealth influence people’s perception of
crime?
Age
a. NHS faces staggering increase in cost of elderly care, academics warn.
Read the article and answer the questions.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/may/24/nhs-faces-staggering-increase-in-
cost-of-elderly-care-academics-warn-dementia
Questions: What impact is an ageing population having on public services? Is there
anything that can be done to change this?
Gender
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-44370240
Questions: What factors have contributed to making this change? How does this link to
the objectification of women? How would feminists view this?
b. The dark side of female empowerment: The rise of Britain's 'gangster girls' running
gangs
side-of-female-empowerment-The-rise-of-women-and-females-running-gangs.html
Question: Are the rise of ‘girl gangs’ a direct effect of female liberation? How else could
they be explained?
Read the article and answer the question. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-44214748
institutional racism or wider racism in society?
b. Secret teacher: The emphasis on British History is depriving students of balance
https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2018/may/26/secret-teacher-
history-bias-school-fear-student-future
Question: Define the term ethnocentric curriculum. What changes would you
suggest need to be made, if any, to the UK’s education system?
ii. Theory & Methods
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wFPajHuluE
Question: What is the difference between consensus and conflict theory’s approaches to
studying society?
Students COULD complete this work to excel at Sociology at Norwood
(we are on hand to help with any questions you may have)
Task 6: Complete the following glossary of key terms:
Challenge: Give an example of a topic area where sociologists would use this research
method for their investigation.